Sunday’s decision by the kingdom was related in a statement from the embassy in London:

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking forward to full participation [in the Olympics]. The Saudi Olympic Committee will oversee participation of female competitors who qualify.

The statement about the Olympic Committee “oversee(ing) participation” of women likely refers to the initial comments by Prince Nawaf, who said that female athletes might be allowed to compete outside the purview of the official delegation.

Women who do compete — to include the most successful of Saudi Arabia’s female athletes, 18-year-old Dalma Rushdi Malhas, a competitor in Olympic equestrian — will be required to wear clothes that “preserve their dignity.” The BBC comments that the euphemism is likely to mean women will wear “sport hijab,” a loose-fitting garment that covers a woman’s hair but not face. Malhas has in the past given press conferences with her hair uncovered.

The announcement by Saudi Arabia that it will allow women athletes to compete in the Olympics for the first time is an important step forward, but fails to address the fundamental barriers to women playing sports in the kingdom… Human Rights Watch cautioned that the gender discrimination in Saudi Arabia is institutional and entrenched. Millions of girls are banned from playing sports in schools, and women are prohibited from playing team sports and denied access to sports facilities, including gyms and swimming pools.